Bracebridge Dental CareAppointments: (705) 645-6655

Ken Hawthorn D.D.S.

Bracebridge Dental Care

A negative self image can be detrimental to many facets of your life. Bracebridge area dentist Dr. Ken Hawthorn understands the positive life-changing power that a healthy and beautiful smile can bring to you. Here at Bracebridge Dental Care, we don't want you to be embarrassed any longer. Why not take your smile - and even your life - to a new level of self-confidence and beauty?

At Bracebridge Dental Care, we offer quality, personalized care. Serving the Bracebridge, ON area, we're happy to discuss the variety of treatment options available to you. If you're interested in sedation or sleep dentistry options, please schedule an appointment with Ken Hawthorn, D.D.S., and we can provide you with all the information you need.

New and safe sedation dentistry with Bracebridge area sedation dentist Dr. Ken Hawthorn means you can have years of dental treatments done quickly while you're lightly sedated, with little or no discomfort. If you've been putting up with discomfort, hiding your smile, or delaying scheduling dental work because you're too busy, your life is about to change. Make a sedation dentistry consultation appointment today with Dr. Hawthorn.

Don't let untreated dental problems get you down. Rebuild your confidence with a beautiful new smile. From simple treatments that make a big difference, to more extensive work, unveiling the smile you were meant to have can have profound life-changing effects. Serving the Bracebridge, ON area and offering wisdom teeth, Dr. Hawthorn can help you develop an affordable treatment plan you'll feel good about.

Oral Surgery for Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction - TMJ

If you're having problems with TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction), your diagnosis doesn't have to be guesswork. Your dentist or oral surgeon can see joint structures clearly and start your treatment with confidence.

You or someone you know may have had arthroscopic surgery to fix a knee, shoulder or hip injury, especially if the injury was sports related. But more and more dentists and are using this amazing tool for jaw disorders.

The arthroscope is a small microscope that is inserted into the jaw joint to monitor the surgery. We can watch closely as intrusive tissues -- that limit jaw mobility and impinge on nerves -- are cleared away.

Since the arthroscope is less than 2 millimeters, there's no need for sutures
and you won't experience any scarring.

This procedure is done under general anesthesia and requires a short hospital stay. You may also need therapy to limber jaw movement. The good news is that patients who have arthroscopic jaw surgery experience almost immediate relief from their TMJ symptoms and a rapid recovery.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Corrective Oral Surgery

Corrective oral surgery (orthognathic surgery) moves teeth and jaws into a more balanced, functional and healthier position. Unequal growth of the jaws, birth defects or injury can create problems. Orthognathic means "straight jaws" and corrects a wide range of facial and jaw fractures and irregularities.

Its benefits include an improved ability to:

chew

breathe

speak

enhances appearance

When only the teeth are involved, orthodontics can correct many "bite" problems but it cannot reposition jaws. Corrective oral surgery is usually performed when needed in connection with orthodontics corrections. The orthodontist and oral surgeon work together in developing your specific treatment program. A complete evaluation of the patient's condition through X-rays, photographs, facial measurements and dental impressions help them determine the best course of therapy.

What Conditions May Indicate a Need for Corrective Oral Surgery?

Difficulty in chewing or swallowing

Speech problems

Chronic jaw pain

Excessive wearing of teeth

Facial injury or birth defects

Unbalanced facial appearance

Receding chin or protruding jaw

"Open bite" (a space remains between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed)

What Are Preparations for the Oral Surgery?

Your orthodontist and oral surgeon will work closely together in preparation for your complete treatment program. First, pre-surgical orthodontics will move your teeth into a new position to fit together better after surgery. This means you'll be wearing braces for 6 to 18 months prior to the surgery. Your teeth will be carefully evaluated during orthodontic visits. When your dental correction team determines that your teeth are properly positioned, the surgery will be scheduled.

Where Is the Oral Surgery Performed? How Long Does It Last?

The surgery is performed in either a hospital or outpatient surgical center under general anesthesia which "puts you to sleep" during the operation. The length of surgery will depend upon the amount and type of surgery needed.

What About Any Facial Surgical Scars?

Since most incisions are made inside the mouth, no external scars are usually visible. If incisions are needed externally, the surgeon carefully conceals them in natural skin creases.

What Happens After Oral Surgery?

After surgery, you will experience some discomfort that is usually not significant; the pain can be controlled with medications. Your healing will take some time. Normally you can return to work or school within two weeks.

After four to eight weeks following surgery, your orthodontics treatment will continue to complete the proper positioning of your teeth. Usually your braces are removed within 6 to 12 months after surgery.

Following the removal of your braces, schedule an appointment with your dentist for a check-up. You'll have plenty to celebrate with all the benefits gained as a result of the corrective oral surgery.

By Brian J. Gray, DDS, MAGD, FICO

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.